VIRAL LOAD
UK Covid cases spiral past 90,000 AGAIN with 12 Omicron deaths reported amid Xmas restriction fears
THE UK's Covid daily cases have soared past 90,000 again today, as Brits are urged to get boosters amid Christmas restriction fears.
Infections in the country have risen by 91,743 in the last 24 hours, with 44 new fatalities from the virus.
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The Omicron death toll has risen to 12, with 104 patients in hospital with the variant, Dominic Raab said this morning.
It comes as the PM is facing a battle between ministers and experts over bringing in stricter restrictions surrounding Christmas.
Scientists have been left spooked by the speed of the spread, with fears hospitals could become overwhelmed if cases continue to rise.
The country has now got 45,145 Omicron infections, with a rise of 8,044 today.
Recently daily deaths have been around 100 on average, and as of December 13, 900 patients a day were admitted to hospital with the virus.
Boris Johnson chaired a meeting of his cabinet of senior ministers at 2pm this afternoon to discuss the next steps.
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The PM ruled out any immediate measures, but said the Government wouldn't hesitate to take action if need be, urging: "Please exercise caution as you go about your lives.”
He warned ministers are monitoring the situation "hour by hour", adding: "Unfortunately I must say to people that we will have to reserve the possibility of taking further action to protect the public, to protect public health, to protect our NHS."
It is feared stricter restrictions could come in from December 27, after Christmas celebrations have taken place, to stop the variant rampaging further.
A booster shot is the best protection against Omicron, with early data suggesting it pushes efficacy back up to 75 per cent.
Dr Jenny Harries, UKHSA Chief Executive said: “Once again, we urge everyone who is able to get a booster jab to come forward and do so. It is the best defence we have against this highly transmissible new variant."
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It is understood Mr Johnson decided against announcing any more Covid restrictions today despite summoning a crunch Cabinet meeting.
The PM is pressing pause on a press conference after top ministers demanded more time to examine the latest Omicron data.
In major developments:
- Gloomy scientists ramped up their calls for a Christmas circuit-breaker
- Cabinet rowed over whether more measures were really needed
- Businesses begged the PM not to wreck their Christmas trading window
- The 10-day Covid isolation rule could be cut to just a week
- Schools were warned they could face disruption until Easter
They want to carefully look over the figures before rubber-stamping any fresh curbs they fear will take a sledgehammer to Christmas.
But Dominic Raab this morning warned the situation was changing "hour by hour" in the biggest hint yet more measures were on the way.
The Deputy PM said there are no "hard and fast guarantees" more restrictions won't be imposed by Christmas to tackle the Omicron tsunami.
He hoped family festivities would be better than last year's lockdown - but said ministers would pull the trigger "earlier rather than later" if forced.
And he hammered the government's plea that the best weapon in our inventory are vaccines by urging everyone to get their boosters.
But there are growing fears that the Government could once again announce snap restrictions throwing Christmas plans into chaos.
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The Government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty are briefing an unscheduled meeting of the Cabinet this afternoon.
Downing Street denied it was an emergency meeting, saying ministers were being updated on a fast-changing situation.
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It comes after the Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) warned daily hospital admissions could reach 3,000 without further restrictions.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said it was part of the job of ministers to scrutinise any advice they were given.
Dominic Raab- 'lockdown plans are under constant review'
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